The Munchkin Princess Wants to Run Away - Chapter 18

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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‘If the moisture dries a bit, it’ll be easier to move the soil.’
As Ivanna stepped back from the site, she quietly evaporated some of the dampness clinging to the earth piles.
“Huh? The soil feels so much lighter than before.”
“The sun’s been good—it must be drying already.”
The workers who resumed their shoveling were oddly pleased, attributing the lightened earth to the warm weather and the moisture evaporating in the sun.
“……She seems kinder than we expected.”
The workers continued digging in silence before one of them ventured to speak.
“The rain was so good, I didn’t even notice I’d hurt my hand.”
The injured villager couldn’t suppress the corners of his mouth rising as he spoke.
“I thought she’d look down on us common folk.”
“Hmm, could she be the Princess after all?”
The way the villagers looked at Ivanna—now barely visible in the distance—had shifted entirely.
“Miss Ivanna, your shoes are ruined.”
“It’s fine, really.”
Ivanna walked on cheerfully, unaware of the change that had come over the workers at the site.
She’d been so pleased to have finally gotten a good pair of shoes.
At Anthony’s trembling expression, Ethan allowed himself a quiet smile.
The Princess paid no mind to mud, walking with casual boldness, while her attendant trailed behind her at a loss—it was amusing.
Ivanna, who had been walking ahead, suddenly stopped and turned back.
“They’ll be exhausted after working all day. Is there any hearty food the villagers could have?”
“Your Grace, what business do you have here?”
Ivanna’s steps faltered. She’d been deliberating on how to acknowledge the villagers’ hard work.
Anthony tensed at the sight of the Duke and stepped back.
“The heavy rain last night caused a landslide, or so I heard.”
Had he grown upset because she’d promised to stay put yesterday and yet came out anyway?
Ivanna forced her mouth upward and answered.
She couldn’t very well tell him that she’d misused her Divine Authority and caused more rain than intended.
“I was just worried, so——”
The Duke’s expression had darkened as he looked down at her. Ivanna’s head dropped. That smile she’d seen earlier vanished like a dream, leaving no trace.
“I understand your concern that the schedule has been delayed. However, the ground in this area has been weakened by the rain and is dangerous.”
Cedric explained his reason for stopping the Princess, though it was a minor inconvenience.
He could have simply told her to leave, but watching her anxious expression, he found himself speaking at length, his brows furrowing with concern.
Hadn’t there been an awkward moment this morning as well?
When he’d woken to find her frail body leaning against him, Cedric hadn’t been able to touch her carelessly.
The Contract hadn’t left his mind since.
To guarantee the Princess’s safety.
A single, seemingly trivial clause had ensnared him. The Crown Prince and Emperor were wise to make the Princess’s safety a condition—it was only proper.
Her body appeared far too fragile.
Having contracted with a person for the first time, he resolved to be even more careful.
The moment he left the barracks, he’d assigned three more shadows to ensure that even if another landslide struck, both he and the Princess would survive without question.
Still, her presence at the dangerous site gnawed at him. Cedric released a shallow sigh.
“It’s dangerous here. Return to the barracks. I will order the meal prepared.”
“Ah, about the meal——”
At his words, Ivanna’s head snapped up. Then she added carefully.
“Would it be alright if I shared my portion of provisions with the villagers who’ve worked so hard clearing the landslide?”
“I cannot permit it. This area is dangerous—do not leave the barracks.”
The Duke refused flatly, as though there were nothing to reconsider.
Ivanna’s lips parted slightly, but she said nothing more and nodded her head.
Then she simply turned and headed toward the barracks.
Back in the barracks, Anthony watched carefully as Ivanna sank into a chair.
Her attempt at conversation had failed for once. Seeing her expression unchanged from usual, Anthony tilted her head in confusion.
The Princess sometimes wore a face whose thoughts couldn’t be read.
“I’ll prepare the meal.”
Unable to bear the awkward silence, Anthony fled outside. Left alone, Ivanna exhaled quietly.
‘Tch, and here I was trying to shift his perception of the Duchess.’
It had failed.
She’d attempted it because the Duke had smiled this morning, but perhaps kindness and sharing food were different matters entirely.
It was clear the Drought would worsen in the Territory ahead.
The thought of quietly channeling supplies through the Dandelion Trading Company crossed her mind—that way, the Company’s name would become known.
In truth, the Duke was right—distributing the Duchess’s meals to commoners was as meaningless as it came.
Still, Ivanna wanted to share her portion of food with the common folk, even if she had to play the part of a Princess ignorant of the world’s ways.
She couldn’t change the fact that she was a foolish Princess, but she could become a Duchess with a gentle heart and weak resolve.
How nice it would be to hear that she’d become somewhat worthwhile since becoming the Duchess.
If her Divine Authority were ever exposed, she hoped that a good reputation might serve as a shield.
‘I never thought the Duke would allow something like this so easily.’
Still, she hadn’t expected him to be so resolute about it. It didn’t seem like he was entirely indifferent either—otherwise, he’d have no reason to concern himself with her safety to such a degree.
Drying her hair yesterday, catching her this morning—both had been utterly unexpected.
Even if their relationship was merely contractual, couldn’t one still grow closer or show favor? So why on earth was he acting this way?
Ivanna couldn’t fathom what criteria guided Cedric’s actions.
From the way he kept bringing up the contract, it seemed connected to something, but she couldn’t quite grasp what.
Ivanna exhaled deeply.
She’d drawn up a contract to live quietly, but she had no desire whatsoever to hold her breath for the rest of her life.
The right time.
So when Justin came into the succession, wouldn’t the dealings between the Duke’s Household and the Imperial Court end as well?
She didn’t know how much the Imperial Court had invested in her marriage, but Elisa had said that contracts between families typically lasted ten to fifteen years.
By then, the Imperial Court would lose interest, and the Duke would grow old enough to need an heir.
Then she wanted to divorce the Duke and disappear without a trace.
A dream of living an entirely different life under a different name.
A marriage born solely from the purpose of fleeing the Imperial Court had, unsurprisingly, brought her no happiness whatsoever.
Just because he’d seemed slightly more at ease this morning, she’d actually dared to think he might show her kindness.
‘Such grand ambitions.’
Swallowing her derision, Ivanna forced down the meal Anthony had prepared.
* * *
“It appears rain has fallen in the neighboring regions as well.”
As soon as the landslide had cleared enough for people to travel the road again, Marcel had sent messengers to other villages.
Upon hearing his report, Cedric gazed upward at the sky. He couldn’t fathom what had suddenly moved the heavens to such caprice.
He could only be grateful.
“The Territories we visit next won’t need to worry about water for some time.”
“There are quite a few Territories that had their irrigation systems and reservoirs repaired beforehand.”
Marcel recalled his other reports while gauging the Duke’s reaction.
“And there’s also talk circulating that this rain is the work of the Royal Family’s Divine Authority.”
“The Royal Family’s Divine Authority?”
Cedric’s brow twitched at the unexpected words.
“Yes. It seems some are saying that the Duchess visited the Territory and the rain fell because of her.”
“The Princess never received Divine Authority.”
Marcel nodded at the Duke’s dismissive tone, as if the matter weren’t worth reconsidering.
He knew that fact well enough himself.
But the common folk seemed inclined to find meaning in even the smallest things.
Moreover, some were saying that the heavens, moved by Duke Reynold’s compassion in taking in the pitiful Princess, had sent rain as a gift.
‘Should I explain this properly?’
It was still only talk from a small village.
But Marcel thought it was precisely the sort of rumor both the Duke and the Imperial Court would find grating.
“Manage the gossip so it doesn’t reach the Royal Family’s ears.”
Divine Authority? It was absurd. If the Princess had possessed such power, she would be living far better than this.
Cedric gazed at the village folk with pity, recalling the Princess who had spoken of wishing to share food with them.
The Dukedom was already sending relief supplies regularly to the neighboring Territories.
If he distributed additional provisions to this village alone, he’d have to provide extra support to the others as well.
Their resources were finite, and their journey was only beginning.
There was no knowing how often rain would fall, and even when it did, crops wouldn’t grow overnight.
Cedric abandoned the line of thought he’d been following. Deep consideration would yield no solutions.
This was no light drought that could be solved by a single night’s rainfall.
Even at the Temple, the High Priest and the Saint were seeking divine counsel day and night—but no answer had come from the gods.
If the rain didn’t return, the Continent itself might perish.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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